2015 Releases

Following the election of the ABA Board of Directors by the General Membership, ABA’s Board elected a new Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer during the Board’s recent meeting in St. Louis. John Meier, the President of Badger Bus and Coach, based in Madison, Wisconsin, is ABA’s new Chairman. Don DeVivo, the President of DATTCO, a motorcoach and transportation company in New Britain, Connecticut, is ABA’s Vice Chairman. Both Mr. Meier and Mr. DeVivo will serve three-year terms. Craig Lentzsch, the Executive Chairman of All Aboard America! Holdings in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the new Secretary/Treasurer. Mr. Meier, Mr. DeVivo and Mr. Lentzsch have had extensive careers in the motorcoach industry.

The Board of Directors and membership of the American Bus Association recognized outgoing Board of Directors Chairman Tom JeBran at ABA's Marketplace/Board of Directors meeting in St. Louis, January 10th-13th. He has served ABA for six years; three as Chairman and three as Vice-Chairman. Under Mr. JeBran's leadership, ABA and the motorcoach industry made significant gains in Congress and before federal agencies concerning a variety of regulatory issues, and ABA continues to grow.

The Board of Directors of the American Bus Association honored Clyde Hart during the just completed ABA Marketplace in St. Louis, January 10-13, 2015. Hart is ABA’s longtime Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Policy. He recently announced his retirement after nearly forty years in Washington both in government and with ABA.

The American Bus Association and the more than 3,300 delegates who attended the ABA’s Marketplace wish to thank its great host, the people and leaders of St. Louis. The people of St. Louis rolled out the red carpet for ABA. St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Commission President Kitty Ratcliffe, her staff along with the countless others made this a great Marketplace. ABA would also like to thank this year’s Marketplace Chairman, Camilla Morris and the many people who volunteered.

Legendary entertainer Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon Scholarship is now part of the ABA Foundation’s overall scholarship program. Each Yellow Ribbon Scholarship is for $2,500. It focuses on expanding the number of traditionally under-represented groups in management and operations of the motorcoach, travel and tourism industry. The scholarship is also intended to pay tribute to those men and women that served in our armed forces, our wounded veterans and the families that support them at home.

Several deserving motorcoach, travel and tourism industry leaders were honored at the ABA’s just completed annual Marketplace in St. Louis, January 10-13, 2015. Each year ABA partners with trade media members and other groups to recognize the contributions of individuals and companies who have shown leadership this past year.

The Bus Industry Safety Council's Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to improving the safety of the motorcoach passengers, who collectively take nearly 640 million passenger trips on motorcoaches each year. The award was presented for the first time at ABA’s Marketplace in St. Louis, January 11, 2015. The winner is Pete Worthington, who recently retired as a Vice President with DATTCO Transportation in Connecticut.

DePaul University of Chicago and the school’s Chaddick Institute have released their annual report showing the eighth consecutive year of growth for the scheduled service, point-to-point segment of the motorcoach industry. The report details why free onboard amenities including Wi-Fi and 110 volt electric plug-ins, along with upgraded luxury service, are expanding.

The American Bus Association is arriving in just days to St. Louis and the America’s Center for Marketplace, January 10-13, 2015. In terms of size, economic impact and quality of membership, ABA and Marketplace are the industry’s unquestioned leaders when it comes to motorcoach operators, tour operators, and travel and tour industry professionals. At Marketplace, delegates will have more than 100,000 face-to-face business meetings with people from all across North America. More than 3,000 delegates will book tens of millions of dollars’ worth of business to destinations attractions and hotels in the United States and Canada. There are also more than 40 professionally run educational programs and networking opportunities with fellow business leaders.

When the more than 3,000 delegates attend the ABA’s annual Marketplace in St. Louis, January 10-13, 2015, GroupConnect, the industry’s online group travel planner, will be ready. To help group tour businesses reach the Chinese Market, ABA and GroupConnect have scheduled an informative educational seminar to be held at Marketplace January 10. GroupConnect has also implemented new functions to GroupTravelConnect.com to provide more value and opportunities for members of ABA and OMCA.

When the more than 3,000 American Bus Association Marketplace delegates arrive in St. Louis in just a few days, they will also be “Giving Back” to the community. Each year, as part of Marketplace, ABA selects a deserving non-profit to raise money and awareness of its cause. This year, ABA’s non-profit partner is Stray Rescue of St. Louis, an animal welfare organization that is on the streets taking a proactive approach through rescue efforts, sheltering, community outreach, education, collaborations, and encouraging responsible pet ownership.